How can I get the thigh teardrop faster?

[Tallchick]

After years of the Firm with zero thigh teardrop and only six months of Cathe, I am actually seeing a line in the front of my thigh that I thought that would never be mine. Is there anyway I can speed this up (10,000 squats or whatever?). I am not someone who really gets much muscle, just definition (which is fine as I am getting more with Cathe than ever before or do I just do as I do and someday I will get those beautiful quads? Any input would be great. And thank you!

 

[martijean1]

I've achieved mine with MORE wieght on my barbell...Let me tell you, do it gradually, or your legs will give out!!

Also, clean eating helps ALOT! More LEAN or vegi protien helps build muscle and shed the "top layer" over those beautiful teardrops!

MJ in MN

 

[RhiannonW]

I had one side with a teardrop noticeably smaller than the other side. What worked for me to catch up the small side were extra step ups, lunges and genie stationary step ups(from Legs and Glutes) for the small side. I despise lunges!

Good luck!

 

[kathryn]

Let me
>tell you, do it gradually, or your legs will give out!!
>
>
Not to mention the stress on joints, ligaments, and tendons, that can result in injury from trying to rush your body to do something faster than it's able to .

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Tall Chick! Take your time and pace yourself. Most injuries occur from doing too much too soon or doing too much of a good thing (or bad thing for that matter). Put rest days between your leg workouts and no need to train them more than two times per week.

As for shaping your teardrop, one of my favorite exercises to include in my leg workout is leg extensions. These are done most efficiently on a leg extension machine since you can control your weight selection, range of motion, and have proper back support. However, if you don't have access to a leg extension machine you can modify the exercise at home. Yes, your ability to grow with the exercise will be limited with this method, but it is nonetheless an option to consider.

To do this exercise, put a 5 pound ankle weight on your ankle and sit in a chair (eventually work your way up to using a 10 pound, when your current weight no longer challenges you considerably).

Lift the weighted leg straight out in front of you (be careful to keep a slight bend at the knee joint and avoid locking your leg out in full extention). Now come down only half way and go back to the top. This would be considered partial reps. Do 3 sets of 20 to 25 reps per leg. I like to do the first 5 to 10 reps of each set with full range of motion before continuing with partial reps. If you feel any discomfort in your knee while doing full range, then stick w/ partial reps. If even doing partial reps gives you any knee discomfort then I do not recommend doing this exercise.

Good Luck!

 

[Tallchick]

Thank you, thank you!

 

[Aquajock]

Another quad shaper that I've discovered with Cathe's help is the PLIE JACK in certain of her cardio workouts:

I-Max 2 Interval #9

Step Jump Pump hi/lo segment #3 (I think)

Legs & Glutes leg shaping routine (I think)

I-Max 3 Interval #5 (pure sadistic bliss)

Kick Max Boot Camp Challenge segment

I really have noticed more distinct musculature in the vasti of the thighs since bringing in that little movelet.

A-Jock

 

[honeybunch1]

Here is a no-equipment needed exercise for that area, the sissy squat:

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Quadriceps/WTSissySquat.html

Just Do It!

 

[Fitnessfreak366]

I did this just this morning after doing PLB standing and MM legs only. Did it at the end of these workouts and got an excellent burn. By the third set I was having a difficult time doing 25 reps. Great tip, Cathe!

 

[amyg]

What a great website! But is he kidding on that example of a sissy squat?? I can imagine the looks while performing that at a gym... it's hilarious.

 

[UKCatheFan]

bump

 

[Shaz]

There is a sissy squat type move in callanetics that does amazing things for the shape of my quads. It uses no weights and burns the thighs like no other exercise I've done.

 

[FirmDancer]

Just Do It! - thanks for the link; that's a great site!

 

[desertbriez]

bump to bring the other 3 year old thread down

-------------
cute work out clothes are good for AT LEAST an additional 10-15 calories burned!

 

[Tallchick]

I bought the leg weights and did what you suggested. Whoa, look at that muscle moving! Here I am, 45 years old and I am getting muscle I thought was looked over on me by some weird genetic defect! I am soooo thrilled, I am almost speechless, almost.